The theme of the discussion was 'Water for Livelihoods' in line with the theme for this year's UN-World Water Day (celebrated on March 22), which is "Better Water, Better Jobs".
The two-hour interactive discussion session among experts from academia, private practitioners, non-profit and government sectors highlighted how each the sector contributes to securing livelihoods associated with the water industry. During the discussion, four questions were put to the panel – comprising Dr Kauser Abdulla Malik, Dr Pervaiz Amir, Dr Muhammad Aslam, Ali Hasnain Sayed. The questions pertained to Rural Development, Urban Development, Policy and Law and Business and Economy.
Khurram Zia, Country Business Manager, Nestlé Waters, said, "Water is a fast depleting resource that is shared among us as individuals, farmers, industry, the environment and communities. Nestlé is committed to being a water steward and that means ensuring our operations - agriculture value chain to industrial processes – are efficient and that we collaborate on initiatives that encourage preservation of water resources in the long term."
Hammad Naqi, the WWF-Pakistan Director General highlighted the importance of water for Pakistan. "Our consumption patterns have become highly unsustainable, as we are not just depleting the groundwater supply but also contaminating the rivers leading to polluted aquifer. WWF supports programmes and partnerships which aim to address this massive challenge."
Dr Abubakr, Director of WIT Centre, said that the Centre was proud to partner with Nestlé and WWF-Pakistan. He spoke about the development of smart water infrastructures which will lead to efficient water resource management. He gave the example of inequality in terms of free-flowing water availability that leads to women walking for more than six hours just to fetch water to perform their daily chores. Efficient water management would help avoid such tedious, unpaid jobs.
On the occasion, Abrar Ahmad, Factory Manager of Nestlé Pakistan’s Sheikhupura Factory, signed a special commitment document pledging the responsible use of water resources both at the Nestle Factory, as well as in its catchment area. The document signing is part of the implementation of the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard at the Factory. The Nestlé Sheikhupura Factory is the first site in Pakistan as well as the Nestlé world to start implementing the AWS standard which promotes better management of site-specific water use and the water catchment areas to address shared water concerns related to quality, quantity and governance.
About Nestlé Pakistan
Nestlé Pakistan is the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company in Pakistan; meeting and exceeding all the international standards in manufacturing of their products. Nestlé Pakistan believes in creating shared value for the communities in which it operates with the focus being on Nutrition, Water and Rural Development. Nestlé Pakistan works with thousands of farmers for collecting milk and engages in a number of rural development programs for community development.
For more information, please contact:
Aatekah Mir-Khan
Corporate Media Relations Manager, Nestlé Pakistan
Phone: 042-35988119
Email: [email protected]é.com
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